Hybrid tea rose plant named `JACirst`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the hybrid tea class, having large, coral-orange flowers; long stems; a vigorous, upright growth habit; and large, dark green, leathery foliage.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of roseplant of the hybrid tea class which was originated by me by crossing thevariety JACbor, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,668, with the variety JACyo, U.S.Plant Pat. No. 6,443.

The primary objective of this breeding was to produce a new rose varietyhaving the large flowers and healthy, dark green foliage of the femaleparent combined with the very vigorous, upright growth habit and longflowering stems of the male parent. Expected flower color wasintermediate between the two parents. The objective was substantiallyachieved, along with other desirable improvements, as evidenced by thefollowing unique combination of characteristics that are outstanding inthe new variety and that distinguish it from its parents, as well asfrom all other varieties of which I am aware:

1. Large coral-orange flowers;

2. Vigorous, upright habit of growth;

3. Large, dark green, leathery foliage; and

4. Long stems.

Asexual reproduction of this new variety by budding, as performed atWasco, Calif., shows that the foregoing and all other characteristicsand distinctions come true to form and are established and transmittedthrough succeeding propagations.

The accompanying illustration shows typical specimens of the vegetativegrowth and flowers of this new variety in different stages ofdevelopment, depicted in color as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in a color illustration of this character.

The following is a detailed description of my new rose cultivar withcolor descriptions using terminology in accordance with The RoyalHorticultural Society (London) Colour Chart, except where ordinarydictionary significance of color is indicated.

Parentage:

Seed parent.--JACbor, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,668.

Pollen parent.--JACyo, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,443.

Classification:

Botanical.--Rosa hybrida.

Commercial.--Hybrid tea.

FLOWER

Observations made from specimens grown from March through September,1996 in a garden environment at Somis, Calif.

Blooming habit: Recurrent.

Bud:

Size.--13/4 to 2 inches long when the petals start to unfurl.

Form.--The bud form is long, pointed ovoid.

Color.--When sepals first divide, bud color is Red Group 43A. When halfblown, the upper sides of the petals are Red Group 43C; and the lowersides of the petals are Red Group 43D.

Sepals.--Color: Green Group 138B. Surface texture: Covered in finehairs. There are three lightly appendaged sepals. There are twounappendaged sepals with hairy edges.

Receptacle.--Color: Green Group 137D. Shape: Funnel. Size: Medium (3/8inch×3/8 Inch). Surface: Smooth.

Peduncle.--Length: Short (2 to 21/4 inches). Surface: Smooth. Color:Light green and bronzy. Strength: Stiff, erect.

Bloom:

Size.--Large. Average open size is 5 to 51/2 inches.

Borne.--Singly.

Stems.--Long. Average length is about 20 to 24 inches.

Form.--When first open: High centered. Permanence: Outer petals curlback.

Petalage.--Number of petals under normal conditions: 35 to 40.

Color.--The upper side of the petals is Red Group 43C. The reverse sideof the petals is Red Group 43D. The base of each petal has a small (3/16inches×3/16 inches), white half moon at the point of attachment. Themajor color on the uper side is Red Group 43C.

Variegations.--None.

Discoloration.--The general tonality at the end of the first day: Nochange. At the end of the third day: There is a color change to RedGroup 39B on the petals in the center of the flower as they become fullyexposed to sunlight. This change spreads to the entire flower by dayfive. By day six, petal drop has begun.

Fragrance.--Moderate.

Petals:

Texture.--Thick.

Shape.--Round.

Form.--Tips slightly recurved.

Arrangement.--Imbricated, with few petaloids in the center.

Persistence.--Drop off cleanly.

Lastingness.--On the plant: Long (5 or 6 days). As a cut flower: Long (8or 9 days).

Reproductive parts:

Anthers.--Size: Medium. Quantity: Many. Color: Yellow. Arrangement:Regular around styles.

Filaments.--Color: Reddish brown.

Pollen.--Color: Gold yellow.

Styles.--Color: Red.

Stigmas.--Color: Greenish white.

Form: Bush.

Growth: Very vigorous, upright, branching. Height at one year of a plantgrown in Southern California without pruning will be over 6 feet, whilethe width will be 4 to 41/2 feet.

Foliage: Number of leaflets on normal mid-stem leaves: 5.

Size.--Large (51/2×41/2 inches).

Quantity.--Abundant.

Color.--New foliage: Upper and lower surfaces are Purple Group 183A. Oldfoliage: Upper surface is Green Group 139A; lower surface is Green Group139B.

Leaflets:

Shape.--Broadly oval.

Texture.--Upper side: Leathery.

Edge.--Serrated.

Serration.--Single, small.

Petiole rachis.--Color: Reddish.

Petiole underside.--Smooth, with an occasional prickle.

Stipules.--Short (3/8 inch); serrated.

Disease resistance.--Resistant to mildew and rust under normal growingconditions at Somis, Calif.

Wood:

New wood.--Color: Reddish. Bark: Smooth.

Old wood.--Color: Green. Bark: Smooth.

Prickles:

Quantity.--On main canes from base: Ordinary. On laterals from maincanes: Ordinary.

Form.--Medium (3/8 inch to 1/4 inch), hooked downward.

Color when young.--Red.

Small prickles:

Quantity.--On main stalks: None. On laterals: None.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the hybrid teaclass, substantially as herein shown and described. characterizedparticularly as to novelty by the unique combination of its large, wellformed coral-orange flowers; its long stems; its vigorous, upright habitof growth; and its large, dark green, leathery